Erasmus+ volunteers spread hope from Muş through cancer awareness projects
“Towards the end of 1999, I was admitted to a hospital in Ankara for treatment. The New Year − and indeed the new millennium − was fast approaching. There was a lot of talk about the millennium on television and in the newspapers, and I found myself saying: ‘God, at least let me see the millennium.’ The New Year came and went, and then it was time for Eid. Once again, I prayed, ‘God, let me see Eid, too.’ In my own way, I was bargaining with God. Later, I realised that I was gradually building up my hope by setting these short-term goals,” he recalls with a smile.
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
Salih Yüce founded ONKO-SEV after overcoming cancer
He never lost hope, but the basic feeling during his battle with cancer was that of loneliness. He tried very hard to reach out to other cancer patients to share his experiences, but the conditions at the time made this impossible.
He reflects: “That is where the idea of starting an association came from. I founded the Oncology Patients Aid and Love Association (ONKO-SEV) so that cancer patients would not experience loneliness. I wanted to support patients facing challenges during treatment, like accessing medication and finding accommodation. When I received my cancer diagnosis, I realised how important it was for young people to understand and raise awareness about cancer, so I involved young people on a volunteer basis.”
Young volunteers come to Türkiye as part of the Erasmus+ Programme
As part of the European Union’s (EU) Erasmus+ programme, ONKO-SEV carries out cancer awareness projects by bringing together young volunteers from Türkiye and abroad.
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, the Head of the Delegation of the EU to Türkiye
The Head of the Delegation of the EU to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, says that Erasmus+ projects not only enable individual development but also strengthen solidarity and mutual understanding between societies. “In ONKO-SEV’s Erasmus+ projects, young people from different countries come together and work towards common goals. These projects bring hope to the fight against cancer and touch the lives of young people. We are proud to support such projects.”
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
With Erasmus+ projects, ONKO-SEV hosts foreign volunteers in Muş
ONKO-SEV enables 100 young people from Muş and 250 from across Türkiye to participate in Erasmus+ projects in Europe each year while also hosting international volunteers in Muş. One such volunteer is Beatriz Morim from Portugal. She is currently working on a breast cancer awareness project and plans to produce a guide for organisations that support cancer patients when her work is completed. “I came to Muş alone, but now I feel like I have a close family here, and I want to stay connected with them,” she remarks.
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Romina Boi from Italy
Romina Boi from Italy is also involved in the same project, organising creative activities for cancer patients and their families and working in the social media team. This is her third Erasmus+ project. She states: “Erasmus is the best opportunity to meet people and build lasting relationships with them.”
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
Ajdin Čomič from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ajdin Čomič from Bosnia and Herzegovina works with the lung cancer awareness project. “With this project, we are trying to help restaurants, businesses, and public places create non-smoking areas. This will help reduce the risk of lung cancer in Muş,” he says. For him, Erasmus+ is about learning through experience.
Mouad Barkia from Morocco is in charge of interviewing patients and their families and producing podcasts to explain their struggles and give them hope. He says: “I will continue this journey of awareness when I return to Morocco.”
Akın Can Mar from Türkiye also stresses the importance of raising awareness: “We have personally communicated with cancer patients, listened to their experiences and gained awareness in the process. I will tell people around me what I have learned here.”
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
Erasmus+ volunteers spend time together and share their cultures
11th Oncology Days supported by the EU
ONKO-SEV’s ERASMUS+ projects include ‘A Booming Plant | III. Volunteering Team’, ‘A Butterfly’s Lifespan is Not Just One Day’ focused on breast cancer, and ‘A Step Towards A Life Without Darkness’ focused on lung cancer. Preparation for and participation in the 11th Oncology Days, organised by ONKO-SEV and supported by the EU and the World Health Organisation (WHO), are integral components of these projects.
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
The 11th Oncology Days were supported by the EU and the World Health Organisation
Ümmügülsüm Sörmer from Türkiye says that she is delighted to be part of this oncology agenda as a medical student. She explains: “In this project, we made friends with people from different cultures, analysed the problems related to oncology treatments, and developed strategies.”
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Project Coordinator Margarida Miranda
Project Coordinator Margarida Miranda states that they aim to raise awareness and unite young people from different cultures.
“We have 46 volunteers from different countries. With the addition of volunteers from Türkiye, our total reaches 200 people. Erasmus+ has a positive impact on the world, placing great importance on personal development and transforming the lives of young people,” says Miranda.
What is the Erasmus+ programme?
Erasmus+ is generally known as a student exchange programme, but this major EU grant programme is more comprehensive and covers the fields of education, training, youth and sport. The 2021-2027 programme strongly focuses on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. Furthermore, collaborations between institutions are supported.
